Natural occurrence of aflatoxins and ochratoxin A in commercial chilli and chilli sauce samples

Total 170 samples of chillies (chilli sauce, crushed chilli and powdered chilli) were analyzed by HPLC coupled with fluorescence detector. AFs were detected in 39, 59 and 56% of chilli sauce, crushed chilli and chilli powder samples from open market compared with 29, 54 and 58% samples respectively, from food restaurants. OTA was found 5 (19%), 11 (38%) and 13 (38%), in chilli sauce, crushed chilli and chilli powder from open market compared to 4 (17%), 14 (50%), and 12 (41%) samples respectively, from food restaurants. About 12, 27 and 35% chilli sauce, crushed chilli and powdered chilli samples from open market were found above the European Union (EU) limit for total AFs compared to 8, 32, and 41% samples from food restaurants. The daily intakes of AFs and OTA were 3.3 and 2 μg/kg, respectively.

► The study reported the natural presence of AFs and OTA in chilli products.
► About 50 and 35% samples were found positive with AFs and OTA, respectively.
► The contamination of these mycotoxins in chilli could pose serious health problems.